The appointments include a chief schools officer, a chief of middle schools, an executive director of finance and a campus principal at B.B. Owen Elementary School.
Chief schools officer
The board unanimously approved Lori Litchfield as the district’s chief schools officer.
“I’m thrilled about this new opportunity,” Litchfield said in a district news release. “I’m excited to work alongside an incredible group of leaders and all the schools in our district. I’ve grown up professionally with LISD and look forward to continuing to serve our students, parents, staff and community.”
Litchfield was the district’s chief of elementary schools, which she had held since 2017. In that position, she oversaw and provided support for 20 elementary schools across the district, according to the release. She has nearly 30 years of public education experience, all of which have been in LISD.
In the new role, Litchfield will oversee counseling and social work services, special education, professional learning and campus support services in addition to the elementary, middle and high school chiefs.
Chief of middle schools
The board unanimously approved Chantell Upshaw as the district’s new chief of middle schools. She is replacing Leigh Ann Lewis, who recently announced her retirement.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve our LISD community in this role,” Upshaw said in a news release. “I have spent most of my career in LISD, so to be able to partner with our incredible leadership team to help guide our students, families, and staff through exceptional learning experiences is truly a great honor.”
Upshaw most recently served as principal at Marcus High School 9th Grade Campus, a position she had held since 2014, according to a district news release.
In her new role, Upshaw will be responsible for providing support and leadership to 15 middle school principals across the district as well as other programs such as the virtual learning academy and secondary summer school.
Executive director of finance
The board approved Amber Lasseigne as the district’s executive director of finance. She is replacing Rosemary Trevino, who recently announced her retirement.
“LISD has an incredible reputation when it comes to financial health for public schools,” Lasseigne said in a news release. “I am looking forward to joining the team.”
Lasseigne joins the district from Allen ISD, where she had served as executive director of finance since 2018. In Allen, she oversaw financial operations of the district, including budgeting, accounting, purchasing, payroll and other finance-related areas, according to the release.
Principal of B.B. Owen Elementary School
The board approved Jennifer Barentine as the new principal of B.B. Owen Elementary. She is replacing Jennifer Spitzer, who recently announced her retirement.
“I am humbled and honored to join the Bobcat family as the new principal at B.B. Owen Elementary,” Barentine said in a news release. “I look forward to serving the community and continuing to build a love for learning for the students at B.B. Owen.”
Barentine was previously as an assistant principal at Ethridge Elementary School, a position she had held for seven years. She is entering her 28th year in public education, which has all been at LISD, according to a new release.
